Hi Elaine,

A very warm welcome to our forum.

I am glad to hear that your ulcers are finally healing, but understand exactly how you feel. It is only natural to feel scared on this journey and no matter how supportive family and friends are, they can be at a loss, as to how to support you, if they have no experience of your condition. 

Babons Cancer Support sounds like the ideal place for you to contact. It is daunting having to make that initial contact, but it is well worth a try. You will find that they also offer other services for cancer patients, which you may find helpful. I have had 2 bouts of breast cancer and decided to attend Maggies. My husband attended with me, but had to go in by himself for the first 2 visits. I got as far as the front door each time, then couldn't go any further. A very pleasant lady volunteer even came downstairs, to try and persuade me to go in. She had experience of cancer herself and told me how helpful she had found the centre, but I couldn't be swayed. I cannot explain why I was so reluctant. I am a strong and self-sufficient person and perhaps I felt weak, having to rely on others to help me, as it is usually me doing the helping?

Having spoken to this lady, I thought about what she had said, after I arrived home and made up my mind that I really needed to attend. It took me to my third visit, before I plucked up the courage to enter the building and boy, am I glad that I did! At first, I didn't think that the counselling was helping, but despite this, I persevered and it eventually made a huge difference. The centre was also a great source of other local cancer services, which I had never heard about and I have never looked back. That was all 14 years ago and I still lead a busy and fulfilling life.

Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx